Integrated Logistics Services Limited Nigeria limited (INTELS) has raised the alarm on diversion of oil and gas related cargo to non-designated terminals, saying that such practices pose serious threat to government revenues.
The Onne based port concessionaire also disclosed that midstream discharge is still on-going irrespective of presidential order to put an end to the revenue leaking route.
Speaking during an oversight visit of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to the facility, last week in Rivers State, Chibuisi Onyebueke, assistant general manager of INTELS disclosed that illegal diversion of oil and gas related cargoes to other ports poses serious threat to the revenue that is due to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The NPA shipping dues collected in oil and gas facilities are four times higher per tonnes of shipment when compared to other terminals.
According to him, that illicit act has resulted to massive revenue loss to Federal Government because of the under-payment made by the non-designated jetties for such cargoes.
“The illegitimate act results in significant loss of revenue for NPA irrespective of Presidential directives to enforce the rules.”
Onyebueke said that INTELS ability to meet the Guaranteed Minimum Tonnage (GMT) target as provided in the concession agreement is under serious threat as private jetties now receive and discharge cargoes from ocean going vessels.
He called on the minister of transportation, the legislature and the NPA to address the challenges militating against the concessionaire operations ,which in turn has affected its income significantly.
The INTELS official added that the Onne terminal operator has all the needed equipment to meet the needs of the international oil companies that use the Free Trade Zone.
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